From a rational observer's perspective, hurling vitriol at Cyril and saying that he was too reckless, barbaric, crazy, or stupid would totally align with most opinions. After all, he could have chosen to completely move out of the way to avoid the deadly steel-clad claw attack of the giant Chaotic Wolf monster. However, Cyril begged to differ.
Not only was his height a disadvantage compared to the monster's towering 3-meter stature, but it was also not easy for him to get this close without engaging in close-range combat. Cyril carefully considered this information and confidently decided on the current strategy, relying on his knowledge and the experience accumulated from fighting the giant Chaotic Wolf monster.
However, for some reason, the giant Chaotic Wolf monster before him was not aiming to exchange blows as Cyril initially thought. Instead, it bore a crazed expression and sought to kill him with a single blow.
Underestimating Cyril greatly, the monster presented an opportunity for him to launch a preemptive, coordinated movement and attack.
According to his prediction, as long as he remained in his position, maintaining the same distance, the giant Chaotic Wolf monster wouldn't sense the transformative changes in his overall combat strength. However, the moment he move to evade the incoming deadly attack effortlessly, the giant Chaotic Wolf monster would immediately sense his dramatically increased strength and become more wary. In other words, it would no longer approach him carelessly.
Although Cyril lacked combat experience, he had extensively read books about strategies for fighting certain monsters, and coincidentally, among chaotic monsters, Chaotic Wolves were known for being ruthless yet easy to defeat once you catch them off guard.
Given this knowledge, Cyril executed the method provided in the Chaotic Monsters Compendium and took advantage of a brief moment of surprise to strike the giant Chaotic Wolf monster at its weak point— right below its chin, where its black steel reinforcement couldn't reach.
Cyril's gamble paid off as red blood spurted out from beneath the giant Chaotic Wolf monster's chin like a fountain, staining the ground. Simultaneously, despite the crimson shell fortifying his body, a claw strike managed to slice through Cyril's right cheek and neck, causing vibrant red misty blood to escape his body and mingle with the atmosphere carried by the wind.
Wincing in pain, Cyril controlled the misty blood within his body to heal his face and neck wounds.
Meanwhile, the stab under the giant Chaotic Wolf monster's chin caused it to wail in pain. Its black steel-clad body quivered, undoing the black steel that reinforced it as an attempt to heal the wound above its throat.
The leader of the Chaotic Wolves didn't expect the diminutive human to know its weakness and cause it such damage. In that moment, it realized it had underestimated its opponent. However, it was too late.
Cyril ruthlessly pulled out the right hand's forearm bone from under the giant Chaotic Wolf monster's chin. The soft area below its chin made his attack's damage destructive, nearly reaching its brain.
Not willing to waste the opportunity, Cyril swiftly healed his damaged right hand, propelling himself upward, he mercilessly dug his crimson-steel clad right hand into the chest of the giant Chaotic Wolf monster. He grabbed hold of a translucent, black crystal-like orb embedded in its chest, as though it had been implanted. The black crystal-like orb was about the size of an adult's fist.
Cyril had no prior knowledge of such an occurrence, as it was not mentioned in the Chaotic Monsters Compendium. However, he instinctively realized that it was related to the giant Chaotic Wolf monster's abnormal strength, which appeared to be that of a Rank 3 Chaotic Wolf leader rather than a Rank 2.
All the chaotic wolf monsters he had killed, based on their appearances alone, should have been Rank 1, going by chaotic monsters' rank system. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to defeat them in the beginning.
If that were the case, then the leader of the chaotic monsters legion should have been at most Rank 2. However, the giant Chaotic Wolf monster leader he fought was too large and powerful, contrary to the estimations made by previous Exterminators who had fought them.
Cyril wondered if he was overthinking, considering he had never fought against chaotic monsters before. Setting that concern aside, Cyril decided to seize the translucent, black crystal-like orb while the giant Chaotic Wolf monster continued to wail in pain.
Shockingly, the moment he extracted the black crystal-like orb from its chest, the giant Chaotic Wolf monster leader began to shrink in size. Its nearly 4-meter-tall and 1.5-meter-wide stature devolved into a 3-meter-tall and 1-meter-wide form. It was as if it had suddenly lost its life force and vitality. The giant Chaotic Wolf monster leader dropped to the ground with a dull sound, lifeless.
Boom!
Cyril was surprised by this occurrence, but he didn't dwell on it for long. He lifted his hand over the corpse of the giant Chaotic Wolf monster and closed his eyes. When he reopened them, he activated his unique talent, [Devouring Vortex].
Soon after, a vortex emerged in the palm of Cyril's right hand, pulling in the giant corpse of the Chaotic Wolf monster with a strong suction. It twisted and warped, appearing smaller as it disappeared into the vortex.
Cyril disregarded the starry-framed golden page that appeared once again. Instead, he turned his head and swept his gaze across his surroundings while covered in the crimson-steel fortification, giving him the appearance of someone who emerged from a pool of blood.
Cyril noticed that he had been surrounded by a group of spectators with varied expressions— shock, incredulity, and fear— though he chose to ignore them and focused his gaze in a specific direction, a frown creasing his wrinkled face.
When the spectators in his line of sight noticed his scowled expression directed in their direction, they unconsciously took a step back, fearing that he might turn against them.
The overseer of the awakening ceremony, the dignified old man, who had just recovered from his injuries, stared at Cyril in the distance with a profound expression. He gestured toward Cyril, intending to talk to him. However, before he could utter a word, Cyril suddenly took off, his face showing concern as he sped up.
Recalling the recent events, the dignified old man instantly understood Cyril's intentions. He decided to allow him to attend to his matters and planned to find him later for a discussion. For now, all he could do was hope that the young lady would miraculously survive, even though it seemed hopeless for her.